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Hamakua Fatality 08/19/99

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT
SERGEANT SAMUEL V. JELSMA
PHONE: 961-2332
AUGUST 19, 1999
G-03705

MEDIA RELEASE

A 48-year-old man died Thursday night (August 19, 1999) after a one-car accident that occurred on the Neinei Bridge on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) near the 44-mile marker in the Hamakua District.

The victim was identified as Edwin Reucia, of Kukuihaele in Hamakua.

Responding to a 6:45 p.m. accident call, police officers determined that the victim’s 1998 Nissan pickup truck was heading toward Hilo when it crossed the centerline of the bridge, struck an abutment and overturned on the roadway.

The victim was pronounced dead at 6:55 p.m. at the scene. He was the only occupant of the car.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers are continuing an investigation to determine if speed was involved in the accident and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Reucia’s death was the third traffic fatality in three days on the Big Island and the 19th so far this year, compared to 25 at the same time last year.

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